Par
Les Sables Editorial Staff
Published on
Nov. 26, 2024 at 6:15 p.m.
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The November 26, 1989 at 3 p.m. the start of the first edition of the Vendée Globe took place from Les Sables-d'Olonne. For the first time sailors will sail around the world alone, without assistance and, above all, without stopovers!
In 1979, in the United States, the idea of a solo round-the-world race with stopovers was born. It will be called Boc Challenge and its first edition will start from Newport in 1982.
Several French sailors took part in this race and it was one of them, Philippe Jeantot, who wins by winning all stages.
It was at the time of the second edition of the Boc Challenge that the idea of a solo round-the-world trip, without assistance but, this time, without a stopover, began to gain traction among a few skippers, including Philippe Jeantot.
And it is towards the department of Charente-Maritime that the project leaders are turning first. But its leaders do not show themselves not interested.
Meanwhile, Philippe Jeantot won his 2e Boc Challenge…
Vendée seduced by the project
Following this victory, things are speeding up.
While several other French navigators (Titouan Lamazou, Jean-François Coste, Jean-Yves Terlain, etc.) were trying to get this famous non-stop world tour on track, Philippe Jeantot takes everyone by surprise and announced in January 1988 the organization of the Vendée Globe Challenge.
He found support from the City of Sables-d'Olonne, the Department of Vendée and private partners such as Crédit Agricole (its sponsor) and Fleury Michon.
So there are thirteen of them Sunday November 26, 1989 to appear on the starting line of the Vendée Globe Challenge off the coast of Les Sables-d'Olonne, a city in turmoil facing the largest sporting event ever organized in the capital of the Coast of Light.
An undeniable winner
Four days after the start, Titouan Lamazou will take the lead of the race and never leave it again at the helm of his Écureuil d'Aquitaine. It must be said that he gave himself the means to achieve his objective of win this first edition by having gathered the largest budget of all the participants.
It was as a big winner that he crossed the finish line on Friday March 16, 1990 after 109 days, 8 hours, 48 minutes and 50 seconds racing.
He will be followed on Saturday March 17 at 7 a.m. by Loïck Peyron, then by Jean-Luc Van den Heede on Sunday March 18 at 5 p.m. to complete the podium.
Philippe Jeantot will finish 4th on Tuesday March 20 at 3 p.m.
Thus was born the Vendée Globe.
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